Toyota Prius oil type and capacity by year

The Toyota Prius oil type is SAE 0W-16 for 2019 and later models and 0W-20 for 2010–2018 models. Every Prius from 2010 to 2025 holds 4.4 quarts of oil with a new filter. The 2008 Prius takes 5W-30 and holds 3.9 quarts. Toyota’s guides call for an oil change every 10,000 miles or 12 months on 2010 and later models when the specified oil is used.

Published November 13, 2026 · Sources · Share

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Prius oil type and capacity by year

Pick your model year. The capacity is Toyota’s figure for a drain and refill with a new filter. After filling, run the engine, turn the hybrid system off, wait a few minutes, and check the dipstick before adding the rest.

Toyota Prius oil type and capacity by year
YearEngineOilOil specCapacityOil change
20262.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS)Check your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manualevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20252.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS), FWD0W-167ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20252.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS), AWD0W-167ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20242.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS), FWD0W-167ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20242.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS), AWD0W-167ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20232.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS), FWD0W-167ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20232.0L 4-cylinder hybrid (M20A-FXS), AWD0W-167ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months12
20221.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), FWD0W-166ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20221.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), AWD-e0W-166ILSAC GF-6B4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20211.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), FWD0W-165API SN/RC4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20211.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), AWD-e0W-165API SN/RC4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20201.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), FWD0W-165API SN/RC4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20201.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), AWD-e0W-165API SN/RC4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20191.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), FWD0W-165API SN/RC4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20191.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE), AWD-e0W-165API SN/RC4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20181.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-204ILSAC GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20171.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-204ILSAC GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20161.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-204ILSAC GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months11
20151.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-203ILSAC GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months with SAE 0W-20; at 5,000 miles if 0W-20 was not used at the last change9
20141.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-203ILSAC GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months with SAE 0W-20; at 5,000 miles if 0W-20 was not used at the last change9
20131.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-203ILSAC GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months with SAE 0W-20; at 5,000 miles if 0W-20 was not used at the last change9
20121.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-202ILSAC multigrade4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months with SAE 0W-20; at 5,000 miles if 0W-20 was not used at the last change9
20111.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-202ILSAC multigrade4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months with SAE 0W-20; at 5,000 miles if 0W-20 was not used at the last change9
20101.8L 4-cylinder hybrid (2ZR-FXE)0W-202ILSAC multigrade4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 10,000 miles or 12 months with SAE 0W-20; at 5,000 miles if 0W-20 was not used at the last change9
20091.5L 4-cylinder hybrid (1NZ-FXE)Check your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manualCheck your owner’s manualevery 5,000 miles or 6 months8
20081.5L 4-cylinder hybrid (1NZ-FXE)5W-301ILSAC multigrade3.9 qt (3.7 L) with filterevery 5,000 miles or 6 months8

The 2009 and 2026 manuals were not available to us, so those rows point you to your owner’s manual.

Why a hybrid takes such thin oil

Toyota moved the Prius from 5W-30 (2nd generation) to 0W-20 (2010) and then to 0W-16 (2019). The manuals explain the choice the same way each time: the recommended grade is the best choice for good fuel economy and for starting in cold weather. The Prius engine stops and restarts often during a drive, so easy starting matters more than on a gas-only car.

For the 0W-16 years, the manuals allow 0W-20 if 0W-16 is not available, with a change back to 0W-16 at the next oil change. 5W-30 is not listed for any 2010 or later Prius.

The spec on the bottle

Next to the viscosity, Toyota names a standard. The 2010–2012 manuals say ILSAC multigrade oil, 2013–2018 say ILSAC GF-5, 2019–2021 say API SN with Resource Conserving (SN/RC), and 2022 and later say ILSAC GF-6B, the grade made for 0W-16. Look for the matching mark on the label.

Synthetic or conventional?

The manuals specify the grade and the standard, not whether the oil is synthetic. Any oil that meets both is acceptable. What matters more for the interval is the grade: Toyota’s 10,000-mile schedule assumes 0W-20 or 0W-16, and if a different oil was used last time, the guides move the next change up to 5,000 miles.

How often to change Prius oil

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months for 2010 and later models, according to Toyota’s Warranty & Maintenance Guides. The 2008 guide says every 5,000 miles or 6 months. If you drive mostly on dirt or dusty roads, the newer guides say every 5,000 miles or 6 months. A Prius can sit with the engine off for much of a city drive, so watch the months as well as the miles: see how often to change oil and oil change due.

Reset the maintenance reminder after the change: Toyota maintenance light reset.

FAQ

What oil does a Prius take?

0W-16 for 2019 and later models, 0W-20 for 2010–2018 models, and 5W-30 for the 2008 Prius.

How much oil does a Prius hold?

4.4 quarts with a new filter for every 2010–2025 Prius, and 3.9 quarts for the 2008 model.

Can I use 0W-20 in a Prius that calls for 0W-16?

Toyota allows 0W-20 when 0W-16 is not available, but says to go back to 0W-16 at the next oil change.

Does a hybrid Prius need fewer oil changes?

No. The engine runs less, but Toyota still sets 10,000 miles or 12 months, the same as gas Toyotas of the same years.

Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota Motor North America. Toyota and Prius are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles.

Sources

  1. Toyota 2008 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47613U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  2. Toyota 2012 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47704U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  3. Toyota 2015 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47A17U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  4. Toyota 2018 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47B89U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  5. Toyota 2021 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47E09U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  6. Toyota 2022 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47F01U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  7. Toyota 2025 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47C91U) (checked November 13, 2026)
  8. Toyota 2008 Prius Scheduled Maintenance Guide (checked November 13, 2026)
  9. Toyota 2013 Prius Warranty & Maintenance Guide (checked November 13, 2026)
  10. Toyota 2018 Prius Warranty & Maintenance Guide (checked November 13, 2026)
  11. Toyota 2022 Prius Warranty & Maintenance Guide (checked November 13, 2026)
  12. Toyota 2024 Prius Warranty & Maintenance Guide (checked November 13, 2026)
  13. Toyota 2019 Prius Owner’s Manual (OM47C35U) (checked November 13, 2026)